Inside the battleship, Interrogation Room
Unlike the typical dark and damp cell, the room was surprisingly clean—one might even call it comfortable.
The thermostat system kept the air at an optimal 24°C, and gentle light fell from the ceiling in a soft glow. Only the bolted metal chair and the blurred figure visible behind a one-way mirror distinguished this place from a cozy tearoom.
Kadoc sat in that chair. The magical restraints still bound his wrists, but not tightly. The former Crypter member of Group A seemed eerily calm, as if relieved of a heavy burden—a sort of… exhaustion, perhaps.
Across the metal table from him sat Steve, as well as Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash, listening intently. On the other side of the one-way glass, Director Goredolf watched with folded arms, glaring at the white-haired young man inside, outrage written plainly on his face.
"...Hmph, traitor! Murderer! How can he sit there as though nothing happened?!" Goredolf gritted his teeth, the terrifying memories of what had happened at Chaldea HQ days earlier still fresh in his mind. "If you ask me, we ought to throw him into the reactor as fuel! Or toss him back out into that frozen wilderness!"
"Calm down, Director." Holmes stood beside him, pipe in hand, his eyes thoughtful. "Anger clouds judgment."
"Kadoc Zemlupus is not just a war criminal—he is also our only accessible source of information on the Alien God at this stage."
"His value far exceeds his life," Holmes concluded.
Steve tapped the table lightly, drawing everyone's attention back.
"So, Kadoc—you've told us almost everything about the other Group A members, as well as the priest and the Alien God. Is that right?" He glanced at the digital recorder holding Kadoc's testimony. While there were areas Kadoc wasn't privy to (like Kirschtralia's specific plans per his clearance level), even now, his information was an irreplaceable treasure to Chaldea.
"You've been surprisingly cooperative," Steve remarked, raising his eyebrows. "I thought you'd be more stubborn."
"...Let's not drag this out any further." Kadoc kept his head bowed, voice hoarse. His pale fingers trembled, his eyes showing a complex light. "If this was before... if Anastasia had really died... I'd be begging you to kill me, or looking for a chance to take you all with me."
His body shuddered slightly as he spoke.
"But... she's alive." He looked up. The shadows under his eyes were ever-present, yet now the flame called hope burned within them.
"That Lostbelt... that world, you've managed to move it elsewhere." He shook his head. "I don't know where it is, or what will become of it one day—but I can still feel her presence there."
"Neither she, nor the Yaga of that world, were completely erased."
"So long as I know that..." His eyes filled with resolve. "I won't die. I won't give up. Not here."
Kadoc drew in a deep breath, as if summoning the last of his strength.
"So... ask anything. Tell me what you want me to do." His gaze flickered with longing. "If... there's ever a chance for me to meet her again..."
Ritsuka gazed at Kadoc, emotion welling in her heart. She could understand the feeling of wanting to do anything for someone precious—because she felt the same.
Mash gave her senpai a soft, sympathetic look and sighed softly.
"Very good." Steve nodded in satisfaction, leaning back with his arms folded. "Since you're so willing, let's talk about your next deal—or rather, your judgment."
In an instant, the mood in the room went ice-cold.
"Kadoc Zemlupus," Steve spoke in a grave tone, now imbued with an intimidating aura as a superior. "You participated in the Alien God's attack on Chaldea HQ, causing the deaths of many staff members, and attempted to replace Human History with a Lostbelt."
"These crimes cannot be erased so easily."
"I know." Kadoc gritted his teeth. "I have no intention of begging for mercy. Kill me, torture me..."
"Death penalty? That would be too kind," Steve cut in, smiling coldly. "For a magus, death often means relief."
"The punishment I assign you will be longer and heavier than death itself."
He raised a finger.
"First: From today forward, you will be conscripted as a special prisoner into the new Chaldea Assault Team."
"You'll use your knowledge as a Crypter, as well as your magical skills, to help us conquer the remaining Lostbelts. Whether it's intelligence analysis, magical support, or dirty work—anything that will help us fight the Alien Gods, you'll do it."
"You forfeit all wages, holidays, and the right of refusal until this war is completely finished."
Kadoc looked stunned. Clearly, he hadn't expected punishment to come in the form of atonement like this.
"Are you... telling me to be a slave?"
That's one way of putting it.
Steve shrugged. "But that's only the process."
"The real punishment comes after everything ends."
He leaned forward, locking eyes with Kadoc, and spoke slowly.
"When the Alien Gods are defeated, when humanity recovers, and when Proper Human History controls Earth again..."
"I will strip you of your status as a Human of Proper Human History."
"Once more, I'll activate the sacrificial spell and open a door to that Exiled World."
"You will be banished—permanently and irretrievably—into that alien version of Russia."
Kadoc's pupils shrank instantly.
"You will be forbidden from ever returning to Proper Human History."
"In that world of ice and snow, as the only old human among the surviving Yaga, you'll live out your remaining days."
"You will no longer enjoy the comforts of modern society, nor the company of friends and family, but spend your old age in a forgotten corner of the world."
Steve's voice was low and hypnotic, like the whisper of a devil.
"This is your ultimate punishment."
"So, Kadoc. Do you accept this sentence—this eternal exile?"
A deathly silence filled the room.
Ritsuka gasped, covering her mouth; Mash's eyes widened. Through the glass, Goredolf was stunned. At first, he wanted to say, "This is too cruel," but then realized: exiling a modern person to such a desolate place for life was surely more painful than simply killing them.
But for Kadoc, a young man who had betrayed the world for the sake of a princess, who would sacrifice all for that icy kingdom, this was something else entirely.
This punishment was almost...
"...Are you serious?" Kadoc's voice trembled—not from fear, but from a disbelief bordering on excitement. He gripped the chair's armrest so hard his fingers went white.
"You'll exile me... to that world? The world where Anastasia is?"
"That's right," Steve nodded. "Of course—it's only if you survive the coming battles and prove yourself worthwhile."
"If you die or betray us again, then your exile status is forfeit."
"..."
Kadoc lowered his head. His shoulders began to shake violently, a sound between sobbing and maniacal laughter escaping his throat.
What was this punishment...?
No—clearly, this was a reward he had never dared even to hope for! To return to that world, to see her again, to keep the promise—"We will remain together even if the world ends"—for that, he would work as Chaldea's slave for life, accept every stain on his name, bid farewell to his beloved homeland forever—
So what if he did?!
"Heh...hahaha..."
He raised his face, tear-streaked but with an unbelievably pure, if twisted, smile.
"You really are... a cruel one, Archer."
He glanced at Steve. But there was no more hostility in his eyes—only a glow that might be called enlightenment.
"A punishment like this... an irresistible poison... Do you really think I'd say no?"
"I accept!"
Kadoc inhaled deeply, voice suddenly strong.
"Even if I have to work like a slave, even if I'm cannon fodder—so long as I can reach that goal in the end... I'll sign!"
"Very good." Steve snapped his fingers, and a parchment contract appeared on the table, glowing faintly with magical light.
[]
Contract of Servitude
Party A: New Chaldea (Representative: Steve/Ritsuka)
Party B: Kadoc
The second party (B) must unconditionally provide support for the restoration of humanity, including but not limited to intelligence, tactical assistance, and combat as required.
While incarcerated, B has the right to protection of basic human rights and medical care, but personal freedom is limited.
(Final Clause): Upon the restoration of Proper Human Nature and the fulfillment of all obligations, Party A will activate reversal transfer technology and unilaterally relocate B to Coordinates: Target E—Russia Sector, forever severing B's connection with Human History.
Liabilities: Should B betray during the contract, or die, the contract is null and void, and A has full authority to dispose of B's soul.
[]
Kadoc read the contract without hesitation, bit his finger, and signed at the bottom in his blood. As it was absorbed into the parchment, a red lamp blinked—contract sealed.
"Welcome to the Chaldea Suicide Squad, Kadoc." Steve stored the contract, stood up, and offered his hand to the man who was once an enemy, now a prisoner-ally.
"I hope you'll live to see that day. If you die along the way, that princess would be heartbroken."
Kadoc stared at the hand, hesitated briefly, but then shook it.
"...No need to remind me." He looked away. Though his tone was still awkward, he felt, for the first time, a sense of belonging in Chaldea.
"For that ending—I will keep surviving."
…